Scripture Doodles- July 2022

 

Scripture Doodles- July 2022

One square a day.

A Take-away phrase.

 With gathered prayers for the month.

Keep word for the month- FULLY.

Supplies:

Monthly calendar- Concordia Publishing

4 colored pencils

Finepoint Sharpie

Devotion-

Streams in the Desert- L.B. Cowman

Family Matters

 

We were in Indiana in June for a special event 

so got to spend some time 

with the Graft side of the family.

Just getting to the story of that family time.

First and second cousins.

 One Big and a bunch of mediums.

Boys rule here.

There was lots of hugs and snuggles.

Some pretty flowers at my sister Teresa's house.

I love the tender way my brother,

 Kim, holds his grandgirl.

Can never get enough of a really cool car.

Moms and dads had some time to visit and chill.

The siblings made it to the raft.

A fun afternoon in the sun with water and sand.

All the cousins had a grand time together.
All the parents decided
to make this gathering a priority.

                             The next generation and the next.

 It is so much fun to see them together.

May the Lord bless them all and keep

 them safe and healthy as they find their

callings in God's Kingdom. 

 

 

Worship into the Week- Rooted

 

Worship into the Week-

Colossians 2:6-15, 16-19

Alive IN Christ

Paul warns here that the world is deceptive

 and will seek to take us captive.

We must walk in him, 

rooted and built up and established in the faith.

We have the gift of forgiveness

 for ALL of our trespasses.

Jesus took them all to the cross on our behalf.

We don't have to live under the weight

 of our debt of sin,

with its legal demands.

We live in grace.

Enduring Word Bible

Some journaling, 

a margin right into the Bible with washi tape.

The Word of God is our strength and armor. 

May it dwell in us richly.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-july-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-july-2022

Prismacolor pencils, 

Washi tape 

Distress ink, Vintage stamps

Magazine cutouts

Summer in the Psalms

 

I have been hanging out with the Psalms

a bit more this summer. 

I am following along with a some directed reflection

 with Visual Faith® Ministry prompts. 

 But, I tend to be in a rather organic process

 with just what is on hand.

I love to reuse resources and here are some 4 by 6 

tabbed manila index cards that have collaged paper 

from collected greeting cards- with an added psalm.

I  also love to use some of the Versicle images 

that are downloaded for Free at Visual Faith ® Ministry

 in the Shoppe. They can be colored in for prayer time.

 But, the images by artist Carla Kramer 

are lovely just as they are printed in black and white.

I also like to collect free Scripture Verses

 offered on the internet

  or sometimes they are "Thank Yous" from a blogger. 

 Here is a collection of Psalm verses. 

Once again these are paired with recycled greeting cards.

A favorite way to spend time with a Psalm

 is to read several versions and connect to phrases 

that stand out in my prayer time.

This becomes a Visual Divina Lectio process. 

This may take me several days to complete.

             

I use a complimentary color of Distress ink

 on the edges 

of the tabbed index cards to make the project

 a bit more cohesive since it is so random. 

I love to use old card catalog drawers for storing them.

This drawer is filled with just Psalm verses.

I can set the cards out on a shelf, 

on a window ledge or any other place I might spot

 a verse during the day. 

Time to take a moment to whisper a prayer, 

recall God's goodness

 and give thanks for His Faithfulness.

You can find the Versicles Here:

Collection=Versicles

Worship into the Week- Fully Known

 

 Worship into the Week-

Colossians 1:21-29

Paul talks about his becoming a minister 

to make the Word of God

fully known.

"...the mystery hidden for ages and generations

 but now revealed to his saints.

To them God chose to make known how great 

among the Gentiles are the riches 

of the glory of this mystery, 

which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Him we proclaim, warning everyone 

and teaching everyone with all wisdom, 

that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 

For this I toil, struggling with all his energy 

that he powerfully works with me."

Paul acknowledges that he doesn't 

have the power or stamina for this task. 

So often I think it is my own power

that somehow moves ministry forward.

 Lord, move me out of the way so that Your will and 

Your way become the plan for my life actions.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-july-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-july-2022

Colored pencilsMagazine cutouts

Distress ink

Vintage stamps

Concordia Mission institute

The group met for Concordia Mission Institute 

this past week- July 9-15, 2022 in 

Concordia, Missouri.

This gathering happens yearly to train, 

encourage, educate and grow the teams of

 Lutheran Bible Tanslators and Mission of Christ Network.

Pat Maier and myself were invited to share

 about Visual Faith® Ministry

 and to lead the group to explore 

the practices of Visual Prayer.

Trying some Visual Prayer practices here.

This gathering includes the lay people 

that serve in mission settings 

around the world. 

They are an amazing group of faithful leaders

 with servant hearts..

Husband,John, and friend, David Maier,

 are always planning some kind of ministry alliance.

 St. Paul Lutheran Church is part of a 

beautiful campus in downtown Concordia.

St. Paul Lutheran High School is a residential school right

 in Concordia, Missouri and the site for the CMI conference.

It is also the home for Lutheran Bible translators.

An evening walk allowed us to meet townsfolk 

and also admire the plants flourishing

 in the hot, and dry summer.

1 John 4 was the selection for

 the Biblical centering for our week together.

God is Love.

We are God's Beloved.

We are perfectly loved.

God ABIDES in us

 and Hs love is perfected in us.

And we KNOW that the Son of God

 has come and given us His understanding.

Margins in the Enduring Word Bible.

Worship into the Week- Transferred to the Kingdom

 

Worship into the Week-

Colossians 1: 1-14

Thanksgiving and Prayer

Paul is praying for those "field workers"

 in the mission field. We are ALL in the mission field.

Right in our neighborhood and family.

The points for this prayer include:

1. to be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding

2. to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,

 fully pleasing to him

3. bearing fruit in every good work

4. being strengthened in all power, for all endurance and patience with joy

I love this section of this reading where it reminds me that the Father has qualified me to "share in the inheritance of the saints of light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Oh, what an amazing life transfer that is!!!! 

The Kingdom of the Son!

Supplies:

Visual Faith Printable

vcy-graphics-only-july-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-july-2022

Magazine Cutouts

Vintage stamps

Colored pencils

Ordination Anniversary- 42 years

                                                                                             

This blessing of husband, John, by Circuit pastors

 took place at the Opening service for the Convention

 of the Southeastern District on May 9, 2022.

 It was a touching point of the transition

 in ministry that is currently happening as he finishes up 

his three terms of this elected postition.

John at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church-

Springfield, Virginia 

where he served 24 years in this parish.

 Today, July 13, 2022 is the 42nd Anniversary

 of John's Ordination.

This brotherhood is a very special bond

 and it is a honor to serve with them.

 Prince of Peace held a reception to honor his 10 years

 of serving as the Southeastern District President.

We have been very blessed to serve this District.

 I give thanks for the way that God has blessed

 the callings of John and all the places he has served.

We await the next chapter 

and the unveiling of God's good plan.

A friend sent this photo to me taken in

 the early 90's at a Southeastern District Conference. 

Sometimes we just don't know how 

we will be connected in life with the people

 we serve with along the way.

Standing next to John is the then 

District President Rev. Dr. Richard T. Hinz

 and seated to the far right on the photo is 

Rev. Dr. Jon Diefenthaler who also served as 

a District President in the SED.

The three men captured here would

 all hold the same office of leadership.

On this ordination anniversary, we give thanks

 for all the mentors, the encouragers, 

and the servant leaders along the way 

in all these years of ministry.

Truly the gift and blessings of the Holy Spirit

have shaped and given great good to John.

 We give thanks. 

Worship into the Week-Walk the Rule

 

Worship into the Week-

Galatians 6:1-10,14-18

Bear One Another's Burdens 

and Final Warning and Benediction

Paul approaches the challenge of someone 

who is "overtaken" by sin or transgression.

The approach guidance he gives is to use

 gentleness for the 

restoration.

The next admonition is to KEEP WATCH yourself,

 so you don't falter.

    v.2- "Bear one another

 burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

For if anyone thinks he is something, 

when he is nothing, he deceives himself."

Do your own work, rest on that

 and not the work of your neighbor.

Everyone has to carry their load.

v.7 "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, 

for whatever one sows, that will he also reap."

Those who sow in the Spirit will be blessed

 by the Spirit to reap eternal life.

Keep on working at doing good,

 don't grow weary of this endeavor.

Keep at it and don't give up.

Treat everyone well, 

especially fellow believers.

Paul then warns about making rules and boasting.

 The only thing that is worth boasting

 about is our relationship with Jesus Christ. 

And that IS the Rule to walk by in this world.

Supplies:

Visual Church Year Printable

vcy-graphics-only-july-2022

Worship into the Week Printable

worship-into-the-week-july-2022

Watercolors

Magazine cutouts

Vintage stamps

Distress ink

Shout for Joy

 

Psalm 66

How Awesome Are your Deeds!

Shout for Joy to God,

all the earth;

sing the glory of his name;

give to him glorious praise!

My meditation verse this week.

The Psalms of Summer for 

Visual Faith® Ministry.

Supplies:

Enduring Word Bible

Colored pencils

Fine-point Sharpie Gel

Gelatos

 

God Bless America

 

Some 4th of July gatherings.

Red, white and blue sets the stage

 for the rest of the summer.

Even the garden is playing along with the plan.

Starting top right- hydrangea, 

and the blue of the chaste tree,

crocosmia, guard and begonia. 

R,W and B dress up things here.

Gathered for a 4th picnic 

on the deck with the Wilson family.

The boys and some back yard ball.

Over a hundred year old 4th of July postcards

 add some fun here and there.

Succulents and flags.

The deep red of this mandevilla 

complements the Little Miss America Folk art.

Adding in some photos

 to mark the Michigan crew's 4th.

Hadley riding herd of rough and tumble.

The popsicle buddies.

Taking some time to pray

 for the United States this week. 

This Free download is available

 from Visual Faith® Ministry.

pray-for-our-country-by-kim-gilman

So many things to be thankful

 for this celebration of freedom.

May the Lord bless this country 

and may she return to honoring Him.